The future of fur industry

Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation

State 1 5 2,98 1,326

Region 1 5 3,03 1,176

Municipality 1 5 3,02 1,231

Local community 1 5 2,97 1,201

Table 6.3.7 Sample's views about support of fur industry

As seen from above descriptives, all of these stakeholders does not seem to support fur industry in a significant way. Specifically, the Region (MV=3,03, SD=1,176) and the Municipality (MV=3,02, SD=1,231) seems to mostly support fur industry, while the State (MV=2,98, SD=1,326) and Local community (MV=2,97, SD=1,201) are quite close. We have to point out that the mean value in all cases was close to 3=Medium degree.

Table 6.4.1 Sample'sviews about sustainability of fur Industry

Figure 6.4.1 Distribution Diagram of Sample’s views about sustainability of fur industry

Participants had the option to justify their answer if they wanted to. Some of these answers are presented below.

• “Markets are becoming fewer, almost exclusively in Russia”

• “ Few companies with few employees will survive”

• “The shops are closing one after the other and there are no young workers”

• “There has been no infrastructure for many, many years!!”

• “Small number of potential buyers”

Do you think the industry is sustainable?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Valid Not at all 11 11,0 11,0 11,0

Small degree 35 35,0 35,0 46,0

Medium degree 27 27,0 27,0 73,0

Large degree 7 7,0 7,0 80,0

Very large dergee 20 20,0 20,0 100,0

Total 100 100,0 100,0

• “As long as it is cold and women who know how to appreciate beauty, the fur industry will have a future”

• “No real interest from all institutions”

• “Non-attendance of young people”

• “Very low salaries”

• “Exploitation of employees”

• “Young people is not involved in the production or promotion of the fur”

• “Everyone is against fur industry ecologists, etc.”

From the above answers we may categorize the problems in four main categories: few markets, aged labor force, salaries and reactions from ecologists.

Then, the participants were asked to answer the following question “To what extent do you think that the differentiation of the raw material (synthetic fur instead of real) will affect the following stakeholders?”

Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation

Animal farm owners 2 5 4,75 ,730

Fur sewing equipment companies 1 5 4,11 1,136

Tanneries 1 5 4,71 ,820

Fur workshops 1 5 4,63 ,884

Wholesalers 1 5 3,62 1,229

Stores 1 5 3,72 1,280

Employees 1 5 4,59 ,944

The wider economy of the region 1 5 4,00 1,163

Table 6.4.2 Sample's views about effects of conversion natural fur into synthetic

According to the participants in the survey, animal farm owners and tanneries is possible to be affected in this case. Specifically, almost all participants believe that animal farm

owners will be mostly affected (MV=4,75, SD=0,730) and tanneries (MV=4,71, SD=0,820). Also, fur workshops (MV=4,63, SD=0,884), employees (MV=4,59, SD=0,944), and fur sewing equipment companies (MV=4,11, SD=1,136). Finally, in a large degree the wider economy of the region will be affected (MV=4,00, SD=1,163), and in a smaller degree stores (MV=3,72, SD=1,280) and wholesalers (MV=3,62, SD=1,229).

The next question regarded the differentiation of the raw material, from natural products to synthetic ones. As it seen in the below diagram, participants do not believe that this is possible. Specifically, 69% of the participants answered not at all, or in a small degree, and 17% in a medium degree. Finally, 14% answered in a very large degree.

To what extent do you think it is possible to differentiate the raw material (synthetic fur instead of real)

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Valid Not at all 42 42,0 42,0 42,0

Small degree 27 27,0 27,0 69,0

Medium degree 17 17,0 17,0 86,0

Very large dergee 14 14,0 14,0 100,0

Total 100 100,0 100,0

Table 6.4.3 Sample's views about extention of fur industry

Figure 6.4.3 Distribution Diagram of Sample’s views about extention of fur industry

Participants had the option to justify their answer if they wanted to. Some of these answers are presented below.

• “Synthetic is non-ecological, different consumer audience”

• “I believe that someone who works in fur will never switch to synthetics”

• “It is another material. Another art”.

• “Different approach to ecology”

• “Business equipment needs change, training or new hires and new international markets”

• “Because natural fur is ecological, the synthetic is a production of oil”

The next question was “To what extent do you consider that the differentiation of the raw material (synthetic fur instead of the real one) should be a choice of the companies and not to be imposed by Law?”

As it seen below, the majority of the participants believe that differentiation of the raw material should be a choice of the companies. Specifically, 52% answered to a very large degree, 18% to a medium degree and 30% to a small degree or not at all.

Differentiation of the raw material should be a choice of the companies and not to be imposed by Law

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Valid Not at all 21 21,0 21,0 21,0

Small degree 9 9,0 9,0 30,0

Medium degree 18 18,0 18,0 48,0

Very large dergee 52 52,0 52,0 100,0

Total 100 100,0 100,0

Table 6.4.4 Sample's views about whose decision should be the change in fur industry

Figure 6.4.4 Distribution Diagram of Sample’s views about whose decision should be the change in fur industry

The final question was “To what extent do you think the diversification of raw material (synthetic fur instead of real fur) will benefit the industry in the long run?”

As it seen below, the majority of the participants clearly do not believe that in such case the fur industry will benefit. Specifically, 54% answered not at all, and 33% to a small degree. Also, l0 % answered in a medium degree and only 3% to a very large degree.

Differation of raw material (synthetic fur instead of real fur) will benefit the industry in the long run

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Valid Not at all 54 54,0 54,0 54,0

Small degree 33 33,0 33,0 87,0

Medium degree 10 10,0 10,0 97,0

Very large dergee 3 3,0 3,0 100,0

Total 100 100,0 100,0

Table 6.4.5 Sample's views about the benefits of raw materials

Figure 6.4.5 Distribution Diagram of Sample’s views about the benefits of raw materials